Pepper prices on March 12th: Abundant supply, domestic prices adjusted to 144,000 VND/kg.
The domestic pepper market recorded a decrease of 500 VND/kg in some key areas as the peak harvest season began. Vietnam's export pepper prices also faced downward pressure, ranging from 1.1% to 1.59%.
Domestic pepper prices today, March 12, 2026, saw slight adjustments in the Central Highlands and Southeast regions. Accordingly, current purchase prices range from 144,000 to 146,500 VND/kg. Notably, prices in Gia Lai and Binh Phuoc provinces decreased by 500 VND/kg compared to the previous trading session.
Trends in the global pepper export market and prices.
In contrast to the slight decline in Vietnam, the International Pepper Association (IPC) has slightly adjusted pepper prices upwards in Indonesia. Specifically, Lampung black pepper prices increased by 0.07%, closing at US$7,042/ton; Muntok white pepper increased by 0.06%, to US$9,323/ton. Meanwhile, the Brazilian and Malaysian markets remained stable.
In Vietnam, export prices for pepper have uniformly decreased. Black pepper (500 g/l) is currently priced at US$6,300/ton (down 1.59%), while the 550 g/l variety is at US$6,400/ton (down 1.56%). Export prices for white pepper also fell by 1.1%, settling at US$9,050/ton.
| Type of pepper | Prices (USD/ton) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Lampung black pepper - Indonesia | 7,042 | +0.07 |
| Muntok white pepper - Indonesia | 9,323 | +0.06 |
| Brazilian Black Pepper ASTA 570 | 6,100 | But |
| Kuching Black Pepper Malaysia ASTA | 9,100 | But |
| Malaysian ASTA White Pepper | 12,100 | But |
| Vietnamese black pepper, 500 g/l | 6,300 | -1.59 |
| Vietnamese black pepper, 550 g/l | 6,400 | -1.56 |
| ASTA Vietnamese White Pepper | 9,050 | -1.10 |
Increased supply is putting pressure on the market during the peak harvest season.
The 2025/2026 pepper harvest is entering its peak season in many localities, especially in Dak Lak and Ho Chi Minh City. The continuous influx of new supply into the market is the main reason for the slight price adjustments.
Harvest situation in Dak Lak
With an area of approximately 29,000 hectares, Dak Lak province is facing a shortage of seasonal labor. Many pepper growers in the districts of Cu M'gar, Krong Nang, and Ea H'Leo have to hire elderly workers to ensure the harvesting schedule is met. This is one of the largest specialized pepper-growing regions in the country, playing a crucial role in shaping domestic prices.
Sustainable development in Ho Chi Minh City
In Ho Chi Minh City, the area planted with pepper for the 2025/2026 crop year reached over 10,776 hectares, of which more than 10,683 hectares are currently being harvested. Despite high pepper prices, the city's agricultural sector advises farmers against indiscriminately expanding their planted area and instead emphasizes quality. The trend of producing pepper according to organic standards and with traceability is becoming a sustainable solution to help farmers stabilize their output through linkages with cooperatives and export businesses.
In the short term, domestic pepper prices are forecast to continue fluctuating around 144,000 - 147,000 VND/kg as the supply from pepper farms is basically harvested by the end of March 2026.
